SWEDEN

Stockholm

In Stockholm you are never far from water, as the Swedish capital is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, right where the waters of Lake Mälaren meet the Baltic Sea, and at its doorstep you find the famous Stockholm archipelago. Stockholm is modern and liberal, and at the same time steeped in history.

The old town with its narrow, cobbled alleys and beautiful old houses is one of the best preserved medieval cities of northern Europe. The royal island of Djurgården offers green parklands, a wide selection of interesting museums – such as Skansen, the oldest open-air museum in the world, or the maritime Vasa Museum –, and family-friendly attractions such as amusement park Gröna Lund. For those who want to do an excursion outside the city, hot tips include Drottningholm Palace, residence of the royal family, or picturesque Sigtuna, the oldest town in Sweden.

Southern Sweden

The southern parts of Sweden offer something for everyone to enjoy: from Skåne with its fertile farmlands and rolling countryside, white farm cottages and grand manor houses, beautiful coastline and seaside villages; to the forests and lakes of Småland – the birth place of children’s book author Astrid Lindgren as well as IKEA and other famous names in furniture design.

If you are more interested in urban life you can savour the medieval charm of the university town of Lund, with its majestic Romanesque cathedral; wander the picturesque cobblestone streets of inspector Wallander’s Ystad; learn about naval history in Karlskrona, or discover modern Malmö, connected to Copenhagen by the Öresund Bridge.

Archipelagos

From the far north in Swedish Lapland all along the coast to the south of Sweden, there are thousands upon thousands of islands. The most well-known archipelagos in Sweden are probably the Stockholm Archipelago and the West Coast Archipelago, but there are also groups of islands in for example the Gulf of Bothnia and off the south east coast where you can experience natural beauty, get a taste of a different way of life and unique cultural heritages, and enjoy activities and lazy days with your loved ones. Just of the coast of Småland you also find Öland, Sweden’s second biggest island and a favourite summer destination for Swedes – thanks to sun, sea and beaches as well as fascinating historical sights.

Gotland

The island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea offers a unique natural setting different from the rest of Sweden – from the 800 km coastline with sandy beaches as well as clusters of giant “Rauks”, natural limestone pillars, to the sand dunes of Gotska Sandön National Park. Take some time to enjoy the medieval, walled town of Visby – a former Hanseatic town. With its cobblestone streets, rose-covered cottages, towers and turrets, shady arches, church ruins and interesting small shops and boutiques, Gotland’s only town is sure to capture your heart. The island has a rich medieval and Viking history to explore, and movie buffs can visit the former home of world renowned director Ingmar Bergman on Fårö.

Dalarna

The province of Dalarna in central Sweden is often thought of as quintessentially Swedish – with green forests and glittering lakes, red cottages and traditional Midsummer celebrations.

The brightly-coloured wooden “dalahäst” (Dala Horse), a popular symbol of Sweden, is traditionally made in local villages such as Nusnäs and Tällberg, and the famous red paint of houses and cottages in many parts of Sweden also originates in Dalarna – more precisely in Falun, thanks to its copper mine.

Art aficionados can visit the homes of some of Sweden’s most beloved painters, Anders Zorn and Carl Larsson, and see how these great painters were inspired by the beautiful province where they lived. Dalarna also notably hosts Vasaloppet, the world’s most famous cross-country ski race, 90 km between Sälen and Mora.

Lapland

The far north of Sweden is a land of vast forests and mountains. It is the land of the dancing Northern Lights in the arctic winter and of endless summer days under the Midnight Sun. The great outdoors invites to activities such as skiing or snowmobiling in winter and hiking or fishing in the warmer summer months. Here you can visit a hotel made of ice or perhaps the world’s largest iron ore mine, which has caused the relocation of a whole city.

Lapland is also the home of the Sami, the indigenous people of the northernmost parts of Europe. A visit to Sápmi (the land of the Sami) is an excellent opportunity to learn about a unique culture, admire their handicrafts and say hello to their reindeers.